In front of a sizable Wells Fargo Center crowd somewhere in the neighborhood of 12-13,000, the Flyers surrendered a two-goal lead before losing to the Islanders, 4-3, in overtime of Wednesday night's rookie game.
The Flyers received all three goals from defensemen (James de Haas, Travis Sanheim, Mark Friedman), while dominating the opening period, outshooting the Islanders, 18-8. However, the Flyers were unable to generate any sustained offensive pressure over the final 35 minutes of regulation.
Goaltender Alex Lyon started the game and stopped 13 of 14 shots. Carter Hart, a 2016 second-round pick, came in with 9:53 remaining in the second period and stonewalled the Isles, stopping 19 of 22 shots. Hart had no chance on New York's third-period goal that cut the lead to 3-2.
For the Islanders, Mitch Vande Sompel scored the overtime winner, while Sebastian Aho tied it with 1:32 left in the third period.
Flyers forward Connor Bunnaman had three opportunities to win it in overtime with a breakaway, a shot from in close and a penalty shot, but was denied on all three by Islanders goalie Mitch Gillam, who stopped all five shots he faced.
This summer's No. 2 overall pick Nolan Patrick went scoreless but looked strong and had a nice backhand attempt in the first period.
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Defenseman Phil Myers left the game with a lower-body injury and did not return for precautionary reasons.
Flyers' three stars:
• Mark Friedman (D) - While most eyes were focused on Sam Morin and Travis Sanheim, Friedman simply went about his business and turned in a very solid effort. Looked calm and relaxed. Displayed speed on a couple of puck rushes. Was very positionally sound playing alongside Morin. The 2014 third-round pick scored on a slap shot from the right side of the blue line that gave the Flyers a 3-1 lead.
• Mikhail Vorobyev (C) - The Flyers' best center on this night displayed his creative side working in tandem with right winger Ivan Kosorenkov (see story). The chemistry between the two Russians was obvious. Vorobyev displayed some keen vision and strong passing ability as he assisted on a pair of goals. The line of Vorobyev-Carsen Twarynski-Kosorenkov was the Flyers' most productive line 5-on-5.
• Travis Sanheim (D) - Aside from a mix-up between Sanheim and playing partner Myers that led to the Islanders' first goal, Sanheim gave us a little bit of everything. The 2014 first-round pick didn't get rattled playing the puck in his own end, while also engaging in rough play with Islanders winger Travis St. Denis. He loves to jump in on the offensive end. His pinch led to the Flyers' second goal. Without an official timekeeper, I'd venture to guess Sanheim led the Flyers in ice time.
